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Hello,
I am potentially new to the LG brand having spent most of the last several years with HTC devices and wondered if the longtime LG folks could help with a couple of questions:
Does LG only release carrier branded devices or do they release GSM unlocked versions as well in the US? I'll be changing to T-Mobile but I am vehemently opposed to carrier branded/locked devices and prefer to purchase direct w/o carrier specific junk.
While I know folks probably don't know about the G4 just yet but how has unlocking the bootloader worked in the past with LG. Can it be unlocked, can you buy unlocked versions, etc?
With many devices (coming from HTC) hotspot is able to be modified so that it can be used fairly easily without carrier interference. Not trying to start a debate on the value of this or if it is stealing from the carrier, etc. For me I've looked at it as I am paying for a specific amount of data, how I choose to use it should be up to me. Has it been accomplished in the past with LG devices to fairly easily use hotspot without carrier headaches?
Again thanks, just trying to nail down some details for my own knowledge to decide if this will be the best device for me. I watched the launch this morning and I am very positive coming out of that but wanted to get some feedback on some specific items that are important to me.
Thanks,
ThePhoneGeek said:
Hello,
I am potentially new to the LG brand having spent most of the last several years with HTC devices and wondered if the longtime LG folks could help with a couple of questions:
Does LG only release carrier branded devices or do they release GSM unlocked versions as well in the US? I'll be changing to T-Mobile but I am vehemently opposed to carrier branded/locked devices and prefer to purchase direct w/o carrier specific junk.
While I know folks probably don't know about the G4 just yet but how has unlocking the bootloader worked in the past with LG. Can it be unlocked, can you buy unlocked versions, etc?
With many devices (coming from HTC) hotspot is able to be modified so that it can be used fairly easily without carrier interference. Not trying to start a debate on the value of this or if it is stealing from the carrier, etc. For me I've looked at it as I am paying for a specific amount of data, how I choose to use it should be up to me. Has it been accomplished in the past with LG devices to fairly easily use hotspot without carrier headaches?
Again thanks, just trying to nail down some details for my own knowledge to decide if this will be the best device for me. I watched the launch this morning and I am very positive coming out of that but wanted to get some feedback on some specific items that are important to me.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. They have versions for specific US carriers, and an International version of the G3 that works internationally (Obviously) but yes, you can get unlocked international versions of the G3, or versions specific to your US carrier. You can also get version specific for countries.
2. Bootloader hasn't been unlocked for the G3. LG is ridiculously strict about this, so because the bootloader is locked, with the G3 we've had to "Bump" the custom ROMs (Sign them with legit tags) so that the bootloader will actually boot the phone with a custom ROM.
3. As for the hotspot, I've never used it on my phone so I couldn't tell you about that.
The G2 and G3 have had modded hotspot for those of us with unlimited data plans. Some models you can simply modify a file while others require a flashable ZIP. I'm hoping we get custom recovery and root for this, we've gotten it for the G2 and G3 so far.
It sounds like LG isn't as developer friendly as HTC but IMO is making a superior device. Nice thing about HTC is they sell unlocked and developer edition devices that work with either AT&T or T-Mobile and are sim unlocked and the dev ed comes with bootloader unlocked as well.
I am sure the dev community can make it functional root, etc. Hope so because I really don't want to buy an M9 and the G4 checks off so many boxes on my list of needs...
Thanks all for the info!
ThePhoneGeek said:
It sounds like LG isn't as developer friendly as HTC but IMO is making a superior device. Nice thing about HTC is they sell unlocked and developer edition devices that work with either AT&T or T-Mobile and are sim unlocked and the dev ed comes with bootloader unlocked as well.
I am sure the dev community can make it functional root, etc. Hope so because I really don't want to buy an M9 and the G4 checks off so many boxes on my list of needs...
Thanks all for the info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah I've been waiting for the perfect replacement for my ATT S3. so, rootable, removable back/battery, solid dev community, etc. this one looks just about perfect, only the root status for the ATT model is the unknown. so, let the real waiting begin. i guess the M9 is an ok option, but there's just a few things i can't love about the M9 like the camera.
VR32 said:
yeah I've been waiting for the perfect replacement for my ATT S3. so, rootable, removable back/battery, solid dev community, etc. this one looks just about perfect, only the root status for the ATT model is the unknown. so, let the real waiting begin. i guess the M9 is an ok option, but there's just a few things i can't love about the M9 like the camera.
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Click to collapse
yeah I have the M8 and the camera is horrid. The design was great in March of 2014 but HTC really lost me with the fact that this years design offers almost nothing new and the so called camera improvements are still not good.
I am really hoping this works out well for LG because there is so much I like about the device.
ThePhoneGeek said:
yeah I have the M8 and the camera is horrid. The design was great in March of 2014 but HTC really lost me with the fact that this years design offers almost nothing new and the so called camera improvements are still not good.
I am really hoping this works out well for LG because there is so much I like about the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Will LG sell a developer version? I've really enjoyed the HTC One M8 developer version -- no carrier logo and no bloatware.
The initial offerings are sparse in back selections and they're all tied to a carrier, even if you get one "off contract"...
id say no.
Chris Dickerson said:
Will LG sell a developer version? I've really enjoyed the HTC One M8 developer version -- no carrier logo and no bloatware.
The initial offerings are sparse in back selections and they're all tied to a carrier, even if you get one "off contract"...
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Click to collapse
I have the LG H815 and im using it in the US. No carrier bloat and no carrier logo. Completely clean from LG direct. Love it so far. Free RAM after booting and most of the day is about 1.2GB and all LG stuff is uninstallable since you can reinstall them from the LG Store (that can also be uninstalled lol)
serialtoon said:
I have the LG H815 and im using it in the US. No carrier bloat and no carrier logo. Completely clean from LG direct. Love it so far. Free RAM after booting and most of the day is about 1.2GB and all LG stuff is uninstallable since you can reinstall them from the LG Store (that can also be uninstalled lol)
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Click to collapse
and i think yours is a Developer Edition too like always H815 will be. This because under developer edition you see OEM bootloader unlock option
We can easily unlock bootloader
No we can't. The option is there but we still need the unlock. bin, which LG probably won't provide.
i dont think so OP
Chris Dickerson said:
Will LG sell a developer version? I've really enjoyed the HTC One M8 developer version -- no carrier logo and no bloatware.
The initial offerings are sparse in back selections and they're all tied to a carrier, even if you get one "off contract"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I purchased the AT&T LG G4... I uninstalled/disabled over a page-full of apps I don't want/need. LG apps are pretty good (the email - Microsoft Exchange in particular, is terrible). I purchased Boxer and it's Microsoft Exchange version - so far it's working well.
serialtoon said:
I have the LG H815 and im using it in the US. No carrier bloat and no carrier logo. Completely clean from LG direct. Love it so far. Free RAM after booting and most of the day is about 1.2GB and all LG stuff is uninstallable since you can reinstall them from the LG Store (that can also be uninstalled lol)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't uninstall the LG weather (and it annoys me because it shows up on my battery usage and I don't ever use it) and a couple other ones like quick memo. But yes most of the apps you can uninstall on the 815.
I bought a G4 from Verizon and ended up returning it just now because of the missing features and bloatware.
I'd like a G4 that has no carrier bloatware (Carrier unlocked?) have all my features that the phone SHOULD come with and has the boot loader unlocked.
There is this listing which I'm thinking on buying (Grey one).
So what I need to know is..
Is there ANY model of the G4 that has it's boot loader unlocked?
If so, which ones?
If not, are we able to unlock them manually yet?
Which carrier disable features, just Verizon?
Do all carriers have their own bloatware on the G4 or just Verizon?
Whats different from the US to the International version or the H815?
I plan on using Cricket and the H815 on that Amazon link should work with Cricket, doesn't have any carrier bloatware and has all the G4 features. Unless I'm seeing this wrong?
So which model is best to go with? Should I snatch up this H815? I heard the H811 is good? What model should I get?
Once this thread helps me choose which one to buy, I'm going to buy it like now. Just wanting to buy the best one. Thanks!!
Just to clarify, you do not intend to use this on Verizon correct? I see that you said you will use it on Cricket, but I'm confused why you bought a Verizon model in the first place.
Well I had a dumb old flip phone from Verizon. I wanted the G4, Verizon had it, Cricket didn't. I heard about missing features, but I thought they were just disabled, so I could re-enable them. I found out this clearly wasn't the case. But I figured I'd buy the phone from Verizon since Cricket doesn't have it and I was already signed up with Verizon, and go to Cricket with it afterwards. But... I saw all the bloatware, missing features, etc. So I just took it back.
After today's research I'm down to the T-Mobile H811 version or the H815 since both of those models have the boot loader unlocked. The problem with T-Mobile is I'd have to have service with them for 45 days before they would carrier unlock the phone. So I'd have to wait 45 days to see if it works at Cricket and get it switched over. Or I can buy the H815 which has the boot loader unlocked and is carrier unlocked, so I don't know if it will have carrier bloat since its carrier unlocked? Some people selling the H815 told me they got it from ATT, Verizon, etc. So not sure how that works.... since Verizon's model is VS986...
Anyways, it seems my best bet is the H815 because I can buy it and take it straight to Cricket when I get it. The issue now is there are many versions or the H815, I hear there is a International and a US version, not sure the difference. I hear there are many other models like the H815T, etc. Guess these are for other counties or something?
I believe all G4's should work with Cricket, the G4's seem to have the correct bands and Frequencies, unless I'm wrong. I know Cricket uses ATT service / towers now. I know we can change the APN and Network Mode to get them working if there is an issue. I without a doubt want to use Cricket.
So I need to know which H815 to buy and if there are US and International versions and the difference between them and I guess which is best to buy with unlocked boot loader, no bloat and works with Cricket.
Get yourself an H815 international version and ditch Verizon. The suckers do mess up bootloaders and AOSP really bad and they corporate readily and heavily with the NSA. Worst carrier ever.
Sent from outer space using telepathy
You need to be careful, look at the bands you need as well. The Verizon G4 lacks many bands that ATT/Cricket uses.
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
Verizon model has unlocked GSM bands too. You can throw a GSM sim in there and enjoy.
What missing features are you referring to? Themes from the stock launcher? Stock themes are just icon packs. Use a 3rd party launcher that is better supported.
All models are have locked bootloaders except specific international models. But if you unlock, you'll be giving up access to DRM content and such. It is not desirable at this point to unlock normally.
All models can root now. The phone is still like 2 months old, development is active. Root was just achieved a couple weeks ago. Custom recoveries and stuff are still in the works.
Nice to see someone else from Cincinnati. Anyways, they take out:
LG SmartWorld
Smart Settings
Multi-user accounts
FM Radio
Themes
Custom lock screen
Then the bloatware, so I jsut got fed up. What will I be missing out with DRM content? I was going to buy the H815. If anything the H811. These both have unlocked boot loaders.
Hello, I'm looking to buy my wife the LG G4. My questions is, should I root the device BEFORE or AFTER it's been activated with Verizon? Does it make a difference? Thanks.
It does not make a difference.
If you use the Verizon Support & Protection app and request support, they will be able to tell you are rooted unless you mask it...but in terms of practical use it doesn't make a difference.
I was planing on buying an unlocked US998 LG V30 and switching to Tmobile but have an offer for a free V30 and a huge discount to stay on Verizon. I have always rooted my phones and still running a Droid turbo with TWRP and RR custom ROM. What do I need to know or what does Verizon do to screw up a nice V30 and it the Verizon version rootable ? Like I said I keep my phones until they are worth zero and not sure what Verizon does to current hardware if anything. The V30 looks like a solid phone and hoping it lasts as long as my droid with the dying battery.
You can convert it to us998. I would take the offer
cal50 said:
I was planing on buying an unlocked US998 LG V30 and switching to Tmobile but have an offer for a free V30 and a huge discount to stay on Verizon. I have always rooted my phones and still running a Droid turbo with TWRP and RR custom ROM. What do I need to know or what does Verizon do to screw up a nice V30 and it the Verizon version rootable ? Like I said I keep my phones until they are worth zero and not sure what Verizon does to current hardware if anything. The V30 looks like a solid phone and hoping it lasts as long as my droid with the dying battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would take the phone, temporarily convert it to US998 to bootloader unlock and root. Then you could flash back to VS996 while keeping unlocked bootloader and TWRP for root.
Its too good a deal to pass up so I will get it. Any suggested tweaks or mods for the V30 out of the box?
I have some reading to do to get up to speed on the V30 and development options.
Nothing's free. Is it a bill credits deal?
You can find v30 pretty cheap now a days. Much cheaper in long run vs 24 months of credits.
Corporate account perk / promo or whatever they want to call it.
Verizon is typically retail + for regular accounts but wheel and deal like car dealers on corporate accounts.
cal50 said:
Its too good a deal to pass up so I will get it. Any suggested tweaks or mods for the V30 out of the box?
I have some reading to do to get up to speed on the V30 and development options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean besides using Nova launcher, etc?
Well you want to turn on Always on Display and there's a bunch of personalized settings in Settings menu. Don't overlook the submenus in those settings with the "..." indicator.
But for real tweaks or mods you need to go ahead and root it. Like this...
Whiskeyomega's V30 Sound Mods
He's also the developer of Boombox ROM.
Phone should be here tomorrow along with an armor case.
Hopefully no surprises getting it active and updated.
Thanks for the suggestions and replies.